Friday's Bite

As a theater and dance major at Trinity College, it’s only natural for me to be drawn to anything theater related. I based where I chose my apartment around theater—just steps away from Times Square and the abundance of Broadway productions and prix fixe “before the show” dinner options. I’m a huge fan of restaurant row (46^th between 8^th and 9^th) because it boasts a small neighborhood feel that intertwines with theatrical charm. After sampling cuisine at all of these cozy gems, twice, I found myself searching for what I love most—a French bistro. I finally found EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for, and it lies in Chez Josephine.

Chez Josephine’s name is a tribute to Josephine Baker, who was viewed as the “toast of Paris” in the 1920’s and a stage and screen star in the 1930’s. The original restaurant opened in Paris in 1926 and was named, Chez Josephine Baker, which was always crowded with a medley of celebrities and renowned locals; which eventually developed into a devoted following from patrons all over the world. Today, the legendary performer’s son, Jean-Claude Baker, moved his loyal fan club to the heart of the theater district where he’s serving up French culinary masterpieces like lobster cassoullet, chinese ravioli with creamy goat cheese, and steak tartare topped with a perfectly fried quail egg.

The décor is a Parisian display of glamour and sophistication. The blue-tin ceilings, red velvet walls, and vintage chandeliers light up the many portraits of Josephine Baker. The overall ambience only added to the already sensational menu.

We opted for the escargots bourguignon, the grilled pork chop with grilled asparagus and potato gratin, the fish du jour with a fall vegetable medley, and to wrap things up on a fantastic note, an apple rhubarb crepe cake. Everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly.

If you’re heavily salivating, get a group of friends together and head to Chez Josephine for a decadent French meal and a bottle of their finest red.

Located 414 West 42nd st

Reservations: 212-594-1925

Spotlight Thursdays

Last night we had the absolute pleasure of meeting Christine Creamer at her Alfred Kenney jewelry launch party. Her tasteful approach to designing her collection was inspired by movement, delicacy, and unrefined beauty.

The event was held at the Allegra La Violla Gallery and featured some of the most aesthetically dramatic painting displays I have seen since my move to New York. Everyone in attendance looked equally as razzling, with banquet gowns and dapper suits. In terms of the jewelry, Christine explained in detail what each type represented and with what they would look fabulous with. Her favorite part of her “movement” mini collection was that it had an upscale hipster style that would accompany a baggy graphic tee nicely. Her delicately elegant pieces, she explained, would be the perfect accessory to a Nicole Miller stunner or a simpler Malandrino cocktail dress.

What I appreciated most about the collection was its ability to integrate life and art into such chic and fragile pieces. Alfred Kenney’s mission statement says it all; “Always been a girl, always loved dancing in silk dresses on a beach or gazing at the deep dark indigo orange mix over a skyscraper's balcony at dusk. And pausing to breath in the moment, even when sublime. That's the type of raw, natural existence that inspires the Alfred Kenney line.” The line’s name is dedicated to Christine’s great grandfather who worked in New York’s garment district for the majority of his life. 

To purchase some of these pieces, see her website: Shop Alfred Kenney

Xx AT

Wednesday's Sound: The Neeks

Fellow Bowdoin students Mike Powers, Stephen Sullivan, and Robbie Zhang-Smitheram have made quite a name for themselves amongst the NESCAC music circuit, so it comes as no surprise that we are featuring them as this week’s “Wednesday Sound”.

These three Polar Bears and their band, The Neek's, have managed to create a unique sound that has the potential to rock not only the Boom Boom Room of the Crack House basement, but the likes of New York’s most popular post-grad hangouts. The band’s motto - we’re Neek's, that’s just what we do.

The Neek's’ newest song “Party.edu” recently hit the cyber waves with wide acclaim, and has undoubtedly upped the fun-level (and these guys social capital) at college parties across New England. Bandmate Mike Powers spoke about the song in a recent interview, claiming, “We wanted to make something where we could throw it on at a party, feel the energy, and have everyone just go wild”.

So, New Yorkers, next time you’re at Phebe’s sipping on a concoction and enjoying the scene, don’t be surprised if you hear “Party.edu” stream across the dance floor. And definitely don’t be surprised if you see me and some Razz girls singing along.

The Neek's "Party.edu"

MC

Tuesday's Fad features Sisters on the Runway

One in four women are sadly affected by domestic violence. In 2005, this tragic truth inspired three 15 year old girls to come up with an organization that would help raise over $50,000 for women and children influenced annually. Elizabeth Eddy, Gabriela Graham, and Juliana Colangelo, developed Sisters on the Runway as a concept that challenges youth to utilize their love for fashion design to help change the world.

Every year they throw a fashion show fundraiser where students are allowed to use their artistic expression to gain awareness and exposure for Sisters on the Runway. This year, the event was held at Parsons The New School of Design. Domestic violence is a situation that affects every community, gender, age, and race. Originally, these three young ladies found it hard to believe that although such a major issue in this country, it is rarely touched upon. That is why Sisters on the Runway has teamed up with two major shelter organizations.

 Safe Horizon of New York City works with the New School University branch. Their unique one-stop system allows clientele to receive all necessary assistance to escape their abusers. One of the first women who spoke at the event, talked about how Safe Horizon helped her every step of the way during her process of escaping from her abusive and self-destructive husband. Additionally, they are also one of the largest domestic violence shelter systems in the country, offering 425 beds to victims and their children. Their second shelter of choice is Shelter Our Sisters of New Jersey that provides safe shelter and 24 hour service to women and children affected by physical, sexual, economic, and emotional abuse.

The fashion that was displayed was anomalous and funky; showcasing the designers’ many talents; Papasree Kiattipongthaworn, Nicki Ray Muller, Abby Lal, and Meghan Spielman. Overall, it was a generous experience that expressed a strong adoration for fashion—all while taking a step to end domestic violence amongst women. 

Sisters on the Runway

This Week's Juiciest Bite

Juliet’s 1 year anniversary party was definitely a reason to celebrate this past weekend. Everyone from John Mayer to Stephanie Pratt was in attendance-- looking polished and ready to party. Upon entrance a beautiful woman covered in diamonds, who just happened to be an expert musician, greeted you. She killed it on her violin as she played vigorously against the electro that Samantha Ronson was dishing out. Setting the bar high, Juliet did not cease to wow its crowd of A-Listers as everyone was treated to endless champagne and the musical stylings of Lilo’s ex-girlfriend. 

Ronson was loving the old school hip-hop tunes mixed with today’s bangers, like “This Is How We Do It” and Duck Sauce’s “Barbara Streisand". 

Juliet continues to prove itself as one of the trendiest places to let loose in New York. With top DJ’s rotating nightly, it was founded by nightlife guru, Jon B, who also happened to open the first eco-friendly nightclub in New York called Greenhouse. So if you find yourself walking around West 12^th st and looking “perfect”, I would suggest trying to finagle your way through the burly bouncers. 

Xx,

AT

Monday's Marks

It was green on Greene this weekend in Soho at the pop-up gallery put on by Adrian Grenier and film producer Peter Glatzer’s eco-focused website SHFT, and pureDKNY—the latest, eco-friendly scent from Donna Karen. The exhibition was focused on sustainable or recycled materials, products for sale as well as over 50 pieces of art on display.  The connection between the items being sold and the artwork often blurred, signifying the transient lines between art and trade—how easy and beautiful it can be to integrate a love of this planet, art and fashion—an easy shift in our state of mind!

 The pieces for the show were curated by Edie Kahula Pereira and designer Lauren Gropper, who featured several local artists including Basil Bouris, Tierney Gearon, Kevin Cooley and Ward Yoshimoto. I was particularly struck by the photographs from Tierney Gearon and Kevin Cooley. The simple but saturated colors and light were perfect complements to the vibrant yet unassuming message the gallery presented. The merchandise was also urbane and inspired, featuring everything from a lemon-juice powered clock by Kikkerland, NY to sustainable furniture of a number of local companies like ALS Designs and Andre Joyau from Brooklyn.

As our generation calls for increasingly eco-conscious approaches to the way we live, we were thrilled to see SHFT showing exactly how artists and designers are responding through art, fashion, and design. SHFT goes straight to the source of change: creation and inspiration—and rather than preaching the environmental problems, they presented tangible and inspiring views of a new way of life—a more holistic relationship between us, art and the environment.

pureDKNY and SHFT.com Pop-up Gallery was open Friday, October 22nd and Saturday, October 23rd 112 Greene Street (between Prince Street and Spring Street). Hopefully the success of this awesome exhibit leads to more in the near future!! 

xo, MSS                                                                              http://www.shft.com/

Recovery Sundays

Living the life of a Razz Girl means taking in the best of New York fashion, art, and music. But with so many options, from Shake Shack to Serafina, it’s easy for our wallets to get thinner and our clothes to get tighter. Luckily, finding a place for a good workout doesn’t need to come with the price of an Equinox membership.

As a former college athlete, it’s a relief to know that staying in shape in the city of surplus is as easy as running for free in the Hudson River Park. And with winter quickly approaching, there is also nothing better than a 90-minute class at Bikram Yoga NYC. With four locations in Manhattan, Bikram Yoga NYC offers a killer workout guaranteed to leave you feeling gratified, replenished, and in need of a good shower.

Bikram yoga classes, which consist of 26 postures in a heated room that can get upward of 115 degrees, are sure to beat the winter chill. And for those of you looking to score a good deal, Bikram Yoga NYC is offering a $30 for 30 days special for all new members.

I tested out the Hell’s Kitchen location last weekend. The class ranged from Columbia football players, to housewives of New York, to the Dali Lama himself. Even still, I’ve never felt better about spending 30 bucks, or another three on Pinkberry after. 

Bikram Yoga NYC

XX MC

Saturday's Spot

BAR PLEIADES-- The spot this week is an upscale, Coco Chanel inspired hotel bar called Bar Pleiades. Nestled in the Surrey Hotel and owned by Daniel Boulud, this French inspired restaurant is named after a Parisian cafe that was frequented by some of the most prominent Manhattan artists in the 1970's and 80's. The decor is what stood out the most; with it's polished black and white lacquer seats, pearl quilted walls, and intimate areas for privacy, this bar is an ideal spot to meet someone new while doing some people watching on Madison.

After browsing through the cocktail menu, the master mixologist himself, Cameron Bogue, came over to speak with me about his unique creations that are always seasonally inspired. He said, "I sample flavors constantly, to come up with the most exquisite and strong cocktails around." He explained that there are four sections to the menu.

First is La Tradition, which are always traditional cocktails with a refined twist. Second is Le Potager, which contain garden fresh ingredients like the cocktail, Autumn Thyme, which contains our favorite, fresh fall raspberries. Third is La Saison, which is an ode to the current season. For fall, Cameron is serving up a Cornucopia that contains apricot and fresh sage. Lastly is Le Voyage which is regionally inspired by the month, right now it's Beijing, China. Ask for the Beijing Mule containing roasted Asian pear vodka and house fermented ginger beer.

After sampling cocktails and enjoying some bites like their blue point oysters and crispy prawns, I found myself chatting with some lively Spaniards that were only in town for a couple of nights. They said that they had stumbled upon this charming spot and have been sitting here sipping martinis for several hours. They were having a fabulous time! Bar Pleiades offers a wonderful selection of bar bites and seasonal cocktails that will leave your palette for food and friends satisfied. 

Current Cocktail Menu